Ronin Network in 2025: Ecosystem Updates, Technical Enhancements, and Major Milestones

Ronin Network, the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain focused on gaming applications, has recorded several updates in 2025, including technical upgrades, ecosystem expansions through grants, and a strategic alignment with Ethereum as a Layer 2 solution. 

These developments, spanning from January to August, include network hard forks, new game integrations, bridge migrations, and grant programs targeting developers.

What is Ronin Network?

Ronin Network operates as a sidechain built for scalability in blockchain gaming. Launched initially to support Axie Infinity, a play-to-earn game developed by Sky Mavis, it uses a Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism to process transactions at lower costs compared to Ethereum's mainnet. The network's native token, $RON, facilitates governance, staking, and fees within the ecosystem.

Ronin supports smart contracts compatible with Ethereum tools, enabling developers to deploy decentralized applications (dApps) with minimal code changes. Its architecture includes the Ronin Wallet for user interactions, the Katana Decentralized Exchange (DEX) for token swaps, and bridges for cross-chain asset transfers. As of 2025, Ronin has processed millions of daily transactions, particularly in gaming and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) sectors.

The network's design prioritizes low latency and high throughput, making it suitable for real-time interactions in games. For instance, it handles in-game asset ownership through NFTs and enables tokenomics where players earn rewards via gameplay. Ronin's validators, selected through staking, maintain network security, with penalties for downtime or malicious behavior.

In terms of interoperability, the platform connects to other chains, including Ethereum and Base, enabling seamless asset bridging. 

This setup has attracted projects beyond gaming, including Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols and the launch of memecoin projects. The network's governance is community-driven, with proposals voted on by $RON holders.

Ronin Network's Influence on the Gaming Ecosystem

Ronin Network influences the gaming ecosystem by providing infrastructure that reduces barriers to entry for blockchain-based games. It enables developers to build titles with integrated economies, where players own digital assets as NFTs. For example, games like Axie Infinity use Ronin to manage breeding, battling, and trading of in-game creatures, with transactions occurring on-chain.

Low Gas Fees and Accessibility

The network's low gas fees enable frequent micro-transactions, a common occurrence in gaming. This contrasts with higher-cost chains, where costs can deter casual players. Ronin's integration with mobile apps further supports accessibility, as seen in games like Fishing Frenzy, which launched on Ronin in March 2025 and introduced risk-to-earn mechanics. Players in Fishing Frenzy can stake assets for rewards, with NFT integrations for unique items like rare fish or equipment.

Fostering Ecosystem Growth

Ronin also fosters ecosystem growth through tools like Tama Mart, a platform for token launches introduced in January 2025. This has led to increased on-chain activity, including the distribution of memecoin tokens tied to gaming themes. Additionally, the network's NFT marketplace, often linked with OpenSea, saw a 13% quarter-over-quarter increase in trading volume to $15.3 million in the second quarter of 2025, with OpenSea accounting for 50.6% of that activity.

Projects migrating to Ronin benefit from its gaming focus. In February 2025, several NFT and DeFi protocols moved to the network, citing its efficiency. Games such as Angry Dynomites and Craft World have received bounties and rewards, boosting daily active wallets. For instance, on July 23, 2025, Ronin reported metrics on daily active users and transactions, highlighting sustained engagement.

Community Building and Resilience

Ronin's impact extends to community building. Initiatives like community radio and creator rumbles encourage user participation, while grants support new developments. In the broader context, despite a 17% quarter-over-quarter drop in crypto gaming wallets across the industry in the second quarter of 2025, Ronin maintained resilience through NFT volume growth and over 170 daily contract deployments, indicating active builder involvement.

Technical Features for Security

Technical features, such as the Ronin Bridge, which was upgraded in April 2025 to utilize Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP), enhance security for asset transfers. This reduces risks in cross-chain gaming, where players move items between ecosystems. Overall, Ronin's role in gaming involves scaling Ethereum's capabilities for interactive applications, with an emphasis on user-owned economies.

Key Updates in 2025

Ronin Network's updates in 2025 began in January with the launch of Tama Mart, a platform for fair token launches that enables users to create and distribute tokens, promoting on-chain activity and memecoin culture. Also in January, the network enabled initial token bridging from Base, facilitating cross-chain transfers. 

On January 20, Sky Mavis re-locked unlocked $RON tokens, resulting in a 23.8% increase in circulating supply to support governance and transparency. Subsequently, Ronin announced a $10 million grants program to fund Web3 developers working on games, DeFi applications, and tools.

February 2025 Developments

February saw project migrations to Ronin, driven by its low fees and gaming orientation. These included NFT projects and DeFi protocols, diversifying the ecosystem.

Network Upgrade and Game Launch

In March, a network upgrade and hard fork were implemented, enhancing efficiency and security. Exchanges such as Binance paused deposits and withdrawals during this period. That month also featured the launch of Fishing Frenzy, a mobile game with risk-to-earn elements and NFT integrations.

DeFi Additions and Bridge Migration

April brought additions to Ronin Blitz, including new liquidity pools and DeFi assets. On April 25, the Ronin Bridge migration to Chainlink CCIP was completed, enhancing security and speed for transfers across chains like Ethereum and Base.

Program Transition

May marked the end of the Katana liquidity mining program on May 20, as part of a transition to upgraded DeFi tools, with a Katana upgrade planned for the third quarter.

Performance Enhancements and Reports

Another network upgrade occurred on July 3, at block height 46,557,383, with a focus on performance. Game integrations continued, with bounties for titles like Angry Dynomites and Craft World. Daily updates, such as those on July 23, tracked active wallets and transactions. 

A Messari report released in August, covering the period from April to June, noted a 13% increase in NFT trading volume to $15.3 million, with over 170 daily contract deployments. 

August 2025: Features and Grants

Cross-chain swaps went live on the Ronin Wallet on August 8, enabling token exchanges across multiple chains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, and BNB, via the Relay Protocol. On the same day, Ronin introduced Lightning Grants (offering up to $20,000 for minimum viable products) and Ronin Forge Innovation Grants (providing up to $50,000 for proven projects), targeting areas such as gamified DeFi, intent-based DEXs, and real-world assets. Applications are due by September 15.

Fishing Frenzy received updates on August 7, adding diving for $RON rewards, Rift Encounters for rare fish hunts, and AI agents via Treasure DAO for automated play. On August 15, Ronin announced its transition to an Ethereum-aligned Layer 2 by the first or second quarter of 2026, involving a phased shift from DPoS to zkEVM, to leverage Ethereum's scaling while emphasizing gamification.

Ecosystem activities in August included bounties for Angry Dynomites and top NFT projects, such as Axie Infinity, ROL Genesis, and Pixels. Community events such as radio shows and creator rumbles persisted. Despite industry-wide declines, Ronin showed NFT growth and builder activity.

What Next for Ronin for the Remainder of 2025 and Beyond?

For the rest of 2025, Ronin plans to implement the Katana upgrade in the third quarter, enhancing DeFi functionalities. The grants program, with deadlines in September, will likely fund new projects in gamified DeFi and real-world assets.

Looking ahead, the Layer 2 transition to zkEVM, anticipated for early 2026, aims to integrate Ronin more closely with Ethereum, thereby enhancing scalability and security through the use of zero-knowledge proofs. This shift will phase out DPoS, aligning Ronin with Ethereum's network effects for broader adoption in gaming and other sectors.

Ongoing ecosystem support includes bounties and integrations for games, with metrics like daily contract deployments expected to continue reflecting developer activity. In the meantime, Ronin's capabilities, including efficient cross-chain bridges, low-fee transactions, and tools for NFT and DeFi applications, promise to support a user base focused on gaming economies.

Resources:

• Ronin Network Website: https://roninchain.com/ 
• Ronin Network Official Blog - roninchain.com/blog
• State of Ronin in Q2 2025: https://messari.io/report/state-of-ronin-q2-2025 
• Ronin is coming to Ethereum: https://blog.roninchain.com/p/ronins-homecoming-to-ethereum